David Nolan, Artist with his wife Orla beside one of two paintings of the late Ian Paisley. The original image was taken by County Antrim Photographer Paul McErlane - see
David Nolan () Irish Portrait Artist The Irish portraitist David Nolan exemplifies much of the European or 'cosmopolitan' tradition in Irish art, but without for a moment forsaking his native country. His art is inspired as much by the iconic figures of Irish history, as it is shaped by the colours and light of France. Exceptionally gifted in still life and landscape painting, as well as portraiture, many of his works are an object lesson in the use of particular shades of colour in order to capture the mood or moment of the subject. More Manet than Monet in his traditional (one might even say classical) approach to composition, his use of black pigment and his preference for representational and figurative work, his modern touch makes him a true 'contemporary Impressionist.' He was recently awarded the much-coveted Icons of Ireland commission – a collection of portraits of iconic figures who have shaped and defined contemporary Ireland. His latest high-profile project is a specially commissioned portrait of US President Barack Obama. The portrait is due to be presented to Mr Obama later this year. (For other modernists based in Ireland, see: Contemporary Irish Artists. For the world's best, see: Top Contemporary Artists.) Born in Dublin, he studied Visual Arts at the Dublin college of Marketing and Design, before moving to Los Angeles USA where he worked as an artist in Disney's animation studios. Thereafter, in addition to working on private commissions, he established himself as a freelance Background Painter and later as an art director involved in projects in Dublin, London, Copenhagen, Oslo, and Berlin for companies like Warner Bros, Sullivan Bluth and RTE. He was also commissioned by the Irish government to complete a series of Irish landscapes depicting conditions during the era of the Celtic High Kings of Ireland - works which he based partly on the mythological writings of WB Yeats. He also lectured in art at the College of Art and Design
Size: 4992px × 3328px
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Photo credit: © Paul McErlane / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -, antrim, artist, county, david, ian, image, late, mcerlane, nolan, original, orla, paintings, paisley., paul, photographer, wife,
